VicForests referred to IBAC over alleged spying

Victoria's state-owned logging company has referred itself to the corruption watchdog after allegations that it hired a private investigator to spy on an activist.

VicForests hired an external firm to investigate the allegations after the ABC revealed those allegations last year.

VicForests updated a press release from last year, noting that the investigation had led to the corruption referral.

If the chief executive of a government agency such as VicForests has a reasonable suspicion of corruption having occurred within the agency, it is mandatory for them to refer the matter to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission IBAC when approached for comment, Victorian agriculture minister Mary-Anne Thomas, who has responsibility for VicForests, said he didn't want to cut across work being done by integrity organisations but defended VicForests.

VicForests do their best, and I won't be drawn on these claims or referrals. He said that wouldn't be appropriate.

The ABC revealed last year that VicForests had hired a private investigator to conduct surveillance on its own contractors.

Alan Davey, a private investigator, said he was asked to dig up dirt on Sarah Rees, an activist who had fought against logging in some areas.

He claimed he was paid to follow her for a number of days, taking photos and video footage of her activities.

After ABC reports, VicForests said in a statement that the allegations did not reflect the culture, values or people of VicForests. It also hired an external company, RSM, to investigate the matter.

VicForests said at the time it would not comment further, but it would make the investigation report public when it was complete.

VicForests hasn't released the report, and it hasn't answered the ABC's questions about its findings.

Following ABC's reporting, the self-report to the corruption watchdog followed a number of other corruption referrals to the IBAC.

Last year, Victorian Greens MP Ellen Sandell referred VicForests to the IBAC, asking them to investigate the spying allegations.

The Office of the Information Commissioner OCR, the VicForests regulator, was referred to as the IBAC by the Warburton Environment. The referral said the regulators had failed to take action against allegedly illegal logging by VicForests.

IBAC hasn't revealed whether it will investigate any of the allegations.